PCIe Flash vs. Sata SSD Upgrade

I have a 2015 2.6/8/1TB mini and the speed is noticeably slower than my MBPr and MBA. I assume, based primarily on my MBA, that this is a result of the 1TB HDD. The mini is running OS X server and is used as a media center, Plex server, local iTunes storage, and for Time Machine. For all those it works fine. My only complaint is that when I'm opening software or restarting the system it runs slower than I would like; so Ive decided to upgrade the HD. My question is the extra cost for PCIe Flash based HD (PCIe flex cable & blade off of eBay) worth the cost over a cheap Sata SSD. I don't need the extra space in the mini as all my media is external so retaining the HDD is not an issue.

I have a 2015 2.6/8/1TB mini and the speed is noticeably slower than my MBPr and MBA. I assume, based primarily on my MBA, that this is a result of the 1TB HDD. The mini is running OS X server and is used as a media center, Plex server, local iTunes storage, and for Time Machine. For all those it works fine. My only complaint is that when I'm opening software or restarting the system it runs slower than I would like; so Ive decided to upgrade the HD. My question is the extra cost for PCIe Flash based HD (PCIe flex cable & blade off of eBay) worth the cost over a cheap Sata SSD. I don't need the extra space in the mini as all my media is external so retaining the HDD is not an issue.

Click to expand...

You can just get a cheap Crucial BX100 SSD which'll work well enough, or you can also spend the extra to get the PCIe (you'll have to get the PCIe flex cable as well if I remember right) and attach it.

The best part about the PCIe SSDs is that since they're OEM Apple SSDs, you get TRIM support out of the box and of course, you get blazing fast speeds.

If you're still within the 14 day return period, why not return it and buy another similarly specced Mini with a 256GB SSD or a Fusion Drive? At least that way you don't void your warranty.

I don't think it's worth the cost in your particular situation. You won't notice a huge difference in load times of applications between PCIe and SATA SSDs. Having an SSD will make it very quick to open applications and boot up.

If you want TRIM supported, it appears there is some good news with TRIM support on non-native SSDs coming in El Capitan (see the Macrumors front page story).

OP asks above:
"My question is the extra cost for PCIe Flash based HD (PCIe flex cable & blade off of eBay) worth the cost over a cheap Sata SSD. I don't need the extra space in the mini as all my media is external so retaining the HDD is not an issue."

Going the PCIe route will yield read speeds around 730mbps.
Going the SATA SSD route will yield read speeds in the neighborhood of 450-500mbps.

Also -- it's major surgery to install the SSD.
BUT -- it's a far easier job to install the PCIe cable (once you separate it from the carrier it comes attached to), and drop the PCIe flash drive onto the existing carrier already installed in the Mini.
Even with the slight cost differential, I would recommend the PCIe install as both the best value AND the easiest way to do things.

Perhaps this info will help if you decide to go the PCIe route:2014 Mini -- how to add a PCIe blade drive

MacRumors attracts a broad audience
of both consumers and professionals interested in
the latest technologies and products. We also boast an active community focused on
purchasing decisions and technical aspects of the iPhone, iPod, iPad, and Mac platforms.